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SUSTAIN – Festivities

Festivals are a time for cheer, of colour and lights, to celebrate, and prayer, meeting friends, visiting relatives, exchange of pleasantries and good tidings. Festivals are also occasions for gifts – shop to own, to give and receive, and feasting (from its Latin origin festum); of late, holiday travel.

In India, we celebrate national festivals as a mark of respect to the nation, its leaders, notable personalities and religious festivals that mark a certain event in history, astronomy, mythology according to diverse local beliefs across the country.

In all these festivities, one common aspect is iconography – illustrations with respect to the event, commemorating or depicting an idol, a person, a symbol, as aids to draw attention, and related rhythmic chants, melodious songs, in their glory – some festivities more elaborate than the rest.

Gradually, over time, grandness has pervaded celebrations sidelining the very purpose of the festival itself, which seemingly enhances self-worth of the participants in the effortful game of one-upmanship.

Hundred thousand crores worth business is estimated during the 65+ festivals, both small and large, celebrated in India, while just three festive months, September, October and November together accounted for 75% of that figure during 2016-17. Of course this translated into employment opportunities for close to 5 lakh people across the country. Many companies in the FMCG, Auto and retail companies, online and walk-in, rustle upto 50% of their yearly sales in one quarter. Holiday travel, tourism and related businesses worth ~15 lakh crore is another bonus to the Indian economy!

The effect of excesses on the environment is evident – gypsum from idols choking water-bodies, waste of all forms (plastic–decorations, packaging, wraps, single use cutlery, water-bottles and animal remains and biowaste, waste oil, leftovers, paper and plastic cups, waste from electrical, plumbing, temporary structures, even billions of staples and the like) which hardly get segregated and hence not recycled along with other unrecyclable items, blocking storm-water-drains and dumped in landfills for posterity. Disposables in tourism similarly takes a toll on the exotic destinations, leading to our hills and seas, plains and forests ridden with plastic and various types of throwaways.

An eye on the environment, and eco-friendly festivities can enrich the celebrations multifold, sustainably, for years to come. Avoiding use of plastic in decorations in favour of natural and innovative ideas, resisting colourfully chemical painted idols made of plaster-of-paris / gypsum – for idols of clay and biodegradable materials, buying flowers, fruits, clothes, and all materials that are locally made/available, limiting consumption to the essentials (which is not only good for personal health+fortune but also the environment), conserving natural resources like fossil fuels, are just some of the individual sustainable initiatives causing least trouble to environment around us.

Let’s start from ensuring that our immediate neighbourhood is inclined to preserve nature in the way it is, and wherever restoring to its original, which in turn should dovetail into larger communities, localities, cities, and ultimately, the nation.

Enjoy, we must. Every living day is a reason to be cheerful, to Celebrate Life!

Devi Durga – BKS Varma

Happy Holidays!

Heritage Architecture, and Neglect

Bangalore’s first supermarket, slowly being pushed to oblivion…

It pains to see the beautiful building in this deplorable state!! Wish it is restored, similar to the Fort High School!
Designed by KH Krumbiegel, inaugurated on September 11, 1935 by the then Prince of Mysore, Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wodeyar, the heritage building constructed at a cost of Rs 2 lakhs first housed The Asiatic Company an insurance company that was shifted from Mysore. Later the 1st Janata Bazar was established in 1966.
Now, it has an Employment exchange, a supermarket, a stationary shop, a Khadi bhandar, MSIL liquor outlet and a Nandini milk parlour. The employees lament lack of upkeep and nuisance of unruly elements later at night; the compound is strewn with empty liquor bottles, plastic and various kinds of waste. Some are happy that the demolition is stayed by the HC; but are worried, faced with an uncertain future.
INTACH’s writ in 2018 had saved the building, but it requires repairs and Govt’s interest to maintain.

Our Heritage is the treasure we must cherish and these heritage structures are vestiges of a glorious thought executed with love. Where else can we find such fine architecture, that is both beautiful and functional!!

Environment Day

It’s a fad nowadays to celebrate various ‘day’s, both national and international. Nevertheless, World Environment Day is special. Started in 1974, the initiative has grown into a world movement, spearheaded by the United Nations. The UN persuades Governments of various countries to mitigate degradation of ecology and work towards sustainable practices.

The subject for 2019 is Air Pollution, and theme chosen is ‘Beat Air Pollution’. This we will look at in subsequent posts. For now, we talk about our environment and sustainable choices that anyone can follow which can create a huge impact, to our only Earth.

This world actually needs a better environment and every citizen needs to act each day.

Just one ‘World Environment Day’ every year – where millions of people send messages, become more aware, feel sad, may be shed a tear, and return to routines next day – isn’t enough! Ecology restoration isn’t limited to planting trees, which of course is a part of the larger cause.

Few sustainable initiatives for all:

1. Stop using single use plastics.

2. Segregate waste at source/home.

3. Compost wet and kitchen waste at home.

4. Grow plants or kitchen garden.

5. Switch to vegetarian food options.

6. Avoid plastic water bottles, paper cups, tissue paper.

7. Recharge groundwater.

8. Collect rainwater and RO-water for common use.

9. Recycle grey water if possible.

10. Use public transport, car-pool.

11. Use clothes and items made of natural fibres.

12. Use fuel efficient vehicles or switch to electric.

13. Instal rooftop Solar power plants.

14. Avoid items made of acrylic materials.

15. Use natural locally available materials for consumption or construction.

16. Plant at least 5 native trees and ensure they grow.

17. Avoid spray-products that contain aerosols, paints and cleaning products that contain harmful chemicals.

18. Avoid carbonated drinks and packaged drinking water.

19. Switch to reusable personal hygiene products.

20. Avoid a/cs, floor carpets, false ceilings, facade glass, vinyl floorings, laminates.

Every decision is a matter of choice; once chosen, it’s easy to follow! Becoming aware is a good start. Action will provide results!

Ecology is the responsibility if all, where each one must be aligned to the same thought and work towards the common goal of a safer environment for our future generations.

Ruralscapes of India